By CAS
GMO-Free Certification
GMO-Free certification for food producers and manufacturers — verifying that products do not contain genetically modified organisms, meeting EU and international export market requirements.
By CAS
Regulation (EC) 1829/2003
Regulation (EC) 1829/2003
GMO Free
What is GMO-Free Certification?
GMO-Free certification verifies that food products and ingredients are free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It is based on EU Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, and supports market access to consumers and markets that require non-GMO verification.
Who Is This For?
Food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, agricultural producers, and food exporters targeting EU and other markets where GMO-free claims must be substantiated — particularly relevant for organic food, baby food, and premium food brands.
Key Benefits
- Verifiable non-GMO claim for EU and international markets
- Consumer confidence in product naturalness and purity
- Supports premium market positioning for food products
- Required by some retailers and importers in EU and GCC markets
- Third-party verification of supply chain GMO controls
- Differentiator in organic, natural, and clean-label food segments
Certification Process
1
Application & Review
Submit your application. CAS reviews your organisation's scope, personnel, sites, and activities to prepare a detailed audit time calculation and formal commercial proposal.
2
Stage 1 — Document Review
On-site or remote review of your management system documentation, readiness assessment, and confirmation of Stage 2 audit scope and plan.
3
Stage 2 — On-site Audit
Full on-site audit of the implemented management system against the standard's requirements. Findings are reported; nonconformities must be closed before certification.
4
Certification Decision
CAS's independent certification committee reviews the audit findings and issues the certificate. The certificate is valid for 3 years.
5
Surveillance & Recertification
Annual surveillance audits (~1/3 of initial audit time) maintain certification. Recertification audit (~2/3 of initial time) is conducted before certificate expiry to renew for a further 3 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under EU Regulation 1829/2003, the threshold for labelling as containing GMOs is 0.9%. Below this threshold (and where presence is adventitious), products need not be labelled as GMO. GMO-Free certification typically requires demonstrating below this threshold.
No. Organic certification has broader requirements covering farming practices, pesticide use, and processing. GMO-free certification specifically verifies the absence of genetically modified organisms.
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